Now SPI Supplies is happy to introduce pure Silicon membrane TEMwindow grids. Silicon membrane window technology changes the way researchers in the nanoscale world look at their samples.

Continuous Films 100µm

Membrane Thickness (nm): 5 nm

Window Size: (8) 50 x 50 µm + (1) 50 x 100 µm (Small)

Number of Windows per Grid: 9

Frame Thickness: 100µm

Film Type: Amorphous Silicon

Frame Size: Fits 3mm TEM Sample Holder

Package Size: 10 Grids

Why Silicon?

Why Silicon? The ability to utilize membrane technology using silicon provides certain advantages over silicon nitride and silicon oxide/silicon dioxide membranes. In addition, silicon film as thin as 5nm can be produced providing the greatest transparency in TEM applications.

Silicon membranes are available in both solid thin films and holey “nanoporous” films. The films are available in thicknesses down to 5 nm. Despite this thinness, the membranes are extremely strong and robust and support well over 1 atmosphere of differential pressure. This stability enables a wide range of applications in harsh temperatures and conditions.

Unique Benefits of NANOPOROUS Silicon Membrane TEM Window Grids

Handling:

Silicon membrane window grids are amazingly robust when dry. However, care must be taken when they are wetted. We recommend avoiding excessive drying steps and using alcohols or low viscosity solvents in place of water for sample preparation. High salt solutions should also be avoided. If a salt solution is required, then a final rinse in de-ionized water is recommended to avoid depositing salt crystals on the window. Wicking of excess fluid with absorbent paper should be avoided if possible. Drying samples under light vacuum or in air is recommended. To avoid breakage, grids should be stored in the provided gel-pack and the grids should remain membrane-side facing up as packaged. We recommend handling grids using flat-sided plastic tweezers such our style K2A or K6.

Cleaning:

Silicon membrane window grids are made of pure silicon and can be repeatedly plasma cleaned without degradation. They can also be cleaned by UV-ozone without degradation. However, UV-ozone will reduce water contact angle and increase surface wetting. The silicon membrane can form a thin native oxide layer when exposed to the atmosphere. If desired, this oxide layer can be removed with a 15 second wash in 1:100 hydrofluoric acid (HF). Prolonged treatment in HF will slowly etch the silicon membrane. Warning: HF should only be used by experienced personnel with the appropriate environmental protection. Please consult the HF manufacturer's MSDS.

Products

Silicon membrane window grids are available in both continuous and nanoporous TEMwindow grids. They come as a package of 10 in a Gel-Pak container for ease of handling.

Continuous Films 100µm Thick Grids

Continuous films may be slightly wrinkled with approximately 5 micrometers or less deflection across 100 micrometers of travel. We have found that this is typically not problem for high-resolution imaging.

The surface roughness generally ranges from 200 to 300 picometers RMS as measured by AFM. This was found to be consistent in both porous and continuous films.

100 micron frames fit a wider range of TEM sample holders, allowing more users to take advantage of our Si grids. They also allow better access to the membrane active area in high-tilt applications.